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NSCI 3011 Assigned Reading #9 (Sports and energy drink consumption are linked to

ID: 126657 • Letter: N

Question

NSCI 3011 Assigned Reading #9 (Sports and energy drink consumption are linked to health-risk behaious among young adults) 1. In your own words, explain the purpose of the study 2. In your own words, state the null hypothesis of the study. 3. Explain what the terms "cross-sectional," "cohort study" and "confounders" mean. 4. The statistical analyses in Table 1 were conducted using Chi square (X9) analyses. Identify one variable that was analyzed using X and briefly explain why you think the X analysis was used for that analysis (e.g., number of groups being compared, how data were measured, etc.). 5. Identify what groups were being compared with the statistical tests shown in Table 2.

Explanation / Answer

1. Energy drink consumption has increased in the recent years, and the prevalence of this behaviour among the younger adults is high because of the evolving culture.

Purpose of the Study

To reduce the negative health effects of energy drinks, individuals need to be aware that along with the therapeutic benefits of energy and alertness, there may be negative health effects. The purpose of this paper was to summarize previous articles for research that may indicate any harmful health effects to the people who consume energy drinks. This can help determine if there is a public health need for education on potential risks and to propose the use of warning labels on these products. While there has been previous research on this topic in prior years, it is imperative to continue to monitor for any health effects due to long-term energy drink consumption.

2. In this study, a cross sectional analysis of survey data was used in order to summarize the health effects of energy drinks on those who consume them. If a subject consumes energy drinks, there is a potential for health effects to be answered. The null hypothesis was that there are not any health effects found related to the consumption of energy drinks. The independent variable was the presence or absence of energy drink consumption and the dependent variable was health effects. The results of this systematic review allowed for a recommendation regarding the need for warning labels on energy drinks since there was a finding of negative health effects.

3. Cross-sectional studies describe the relationship between diseases and other factors at one point in time in a defined population. Cross sectional studies lack any information on timing of exposure and outcome relationships and include only prevalent cases. They are often used for comparing diagnostic tests.

Cohort studies identify a group of patients who are already taking a particular treatment or have an exposure, follow them forward over time, and then compare their outcomes with a similar group that has not been affected by the treatment or exposure being studied. Cohort studies are observational and not as reliable as randomized controlled studies, since the two groups may differ in ways other than in the variable under study.  

A confounder is a variable that influences both the dependent variable and independent variable causing a spurious association. Confounder or 'confounding factor' is something, other than the thing being studied, that could be causing the results seen in a study.